Moving from Cleveland, OH to Chicago, IL
Moving from Cleveland, OH to Chicago, IL covers 342 mi and about 6h 28m by car through 3 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully β the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
342 mi Β· 6h 28m by car Β· IL β IN β OH
Distance & route
| Route through | IL β IN β OH |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 90, I 80, I 480 |
| Major cities en route | Naperville, South Bend, Toledo, Akron |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Cleveland | Chicago | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 93.923 | 103.595 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 95.967 | 83.581 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.628 | 107.258 | 100.0 |
| Services | 79.434 | 112.01 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL step-up: 10.3% pricier overall in Chicago than Cleveland on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Chicago typical home at $317,283 is 10.3% above Cleveland at $115,537 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Cleveland -1.9%, Chicago +2.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Cleveland | Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 52Β°F | 51Β°F |
| January avg low | 24Β°F | 20Β°F |
| July avg high | 81Β°F | 81Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 33.3" | β |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 52.3Β°F vs 50.8Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: CLEVELAND BURKE AP, OH US, CHICAGO NORTHERLY IS, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Cleveland | Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 367,523 | 2,707,648 |
| Median household income | $39,187 | $75,134 |
| Median age | 36.3 | 35.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 12.5% | 24.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.18 | 2.36 |
Median household income in Chicago is 10.3% above Cleveland ($39,187 vs $75,134, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Chicago MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 519,810 | $46,540 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 497,550 | $41,020 |
| Management Occupations | 405,130 | $125,280 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 386,070 | $38,490 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 368,000 | $33,540 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Ohio and Illinois
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Illinois's DMV for the current deadline to transfer driver license and vehicle registration after establishing residency. Consult a tax professional for your specific filing situation β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% more between Memorial Day and Labor Day (peak season). October through April offers the lowest rates and better mover availability.
To avoid mid-semester school transfers, most U.S. families schedule moves between mid-June and mid-August. Public school calendars typically run late August or early September through late May or early June.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Chicago compared to Cleveland?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $317,283 in Chicago vs $115,537 in Cleveland β a 174.6% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Chicago, IL from Cleveland, OH?
The driving distance is 342 mi and the route typically takes 6h 28m via I 90 and I 80. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Chicago more expensive than Cleveland?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Chicago is 10.3% higher than Cleveland (103.595 vs 93.923, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Cleveland to Chicago?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 342 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Cleveland vs Chicago?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $75,134 in Chicago vs $39,187 in Cleveland β a 91.7% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Cleveland.
City profiles: Cleveland, OH Β· Chicago, IL.